For many young travellers, taking the leap into solo travel can feel exciting and intimidating in equal measure. For Ally, group travel offered a way to experience the world with the reassurance of a built-in community, while still having the freedom to discover destinations on her own terms.

After discovering G Adventures during her gap year, Ally quickly found herself drawn to the connections, challenges and unexpected moments that come with travelling alongside people from different walks of life. In this interview, she shares what she has learned from travelling with 18-to-Thirtysomethings, from stepping outside her comfort zone to forming friendships that continue long after the tour ends.

Why did you choose an 18-to-Thirtysomethings travel tour instead of travelling solo or independently?

Hello! My name is Ally, and I’m 20 years old from Ontario, Canada. I am currently on my gap year and work mainly in healthcare before I head back to school next year. Last year, I had some paid time off (PTO) and money saved, so I decided that I wanted to travel somewhere, but I didn't know anything about travelling, didn’t have anyone to travel with, and was too scared to travel alone, so I booked my first G Adventures tour to Peru. Within a week of coming home from Peru, I handed in my resignation and booked my next tour to Southeast Asia!

G Adventures made travelling somewhere new feel much less intimidating, especially when it came to navigating your transport, activities, and all the other little things that can be stressful to do on your own, especially when you don't speak the local language. Additionally, as a solo female, I value the safety of being a part of a group rather than on my own. The opportunity to travel with a group of people and make memories with them for a lifetime is something that I will always cherish about group travel.

What were your expectations before joining an 18-to-Thirtysomethings trip — and did the experience meet or exceed them?

I expected to see some incredible places and have a good time, but I did not realize how much the people would become part of the experience. All five of my tours have completely exceeded my expectations. My favourite memories are not just the big excursions; they’re also the random conversations, laughing together during meals, dancing to ‘Rasputin’ in a bar in Uzbekistan, or the random side quests with people I had just met.

The CEOs are also a huge part of the experience, and I didn't realize just how much they shape the experience. The CEOs are always so knowledgeable about the places we travel to and share so much about the history, culture, and little details that I never would have known travelling on my own.

What was your favourite memory from your 18-to-Thirtysomethings trip?

I have so many amazing memories from my five tours, but I’ll never forget how special it was to spend three days off-grid in Tajikistan. We hiked to lakes with breathtaking scenery and the bluest water I have ever seen. Our guide taught us a song in the Uzbek language, and we all sang that together one night at dinner. We spent time in some incredibly remote places with no cell service, completely disconnected from the rest of the world. Being able to experience that with a group of people who were once strangers, but now friends, made it even more special. 

Why is 18-to-Thirtysomethings group travel a great option for people in your age range and life stage?

As a budget solo female traveller, I think 18-to-Thirtysomethings group travel is a great option because you don't have to wait for someone to be available to travel with you if you’re uncomfortable travelling solo. At this age, everyone is on their own path; different jobs, budgets, school schedules, relationships, responsibilities, and it can be really hard to find people whose plans line up with yours, or who even want to travel the same way. With 18-to-Thirtysomethings, you can decide when and where you want to travel and be guaranteed that you will be with a group of like-minded people who are just as excited or scared to experience it with you. You still have the freedom to be independent, but you also have people to share experiences with, which makes travelling so meaningful.

Was there a moment you felt outside your comfort zone — and how did the group dynamic help?

One of the first times I really felt outside my comfort zone was walking down Khao San Road at night in Bangkok, Thailand. At the time, I was a brand-new traveller and had never experienced that level of crowds and constant activity before, and it was quite overwhelming at first. But being with a group was reassuring in itself, especially having people around who were more confident or had travelled before. They reminded me that I was okay, showed me safety tips, how to navigate everything, and made me feel safe. I walked away from that experience realizing that something that initially felt so intimidating wasn't that scary after all. It gave me the confidence to embrace the unfamiliar instead of being afraid of it.

What surprised you most about the people you travelled with?

I was so surprised at how quickly strangers became friends. Everybody joins the tour with the same mindset of wanting to experience something new, so they come in with an open mind and are easy to connect with. I am personally shy at first, until you get to know me and then I ease into my normal, bubbly self. After just a few days on the tour, everyone acts like they have known each other for years; laughing about inside jokes, sharing personal stories, and making plans to see each other again in the future. I’ve had tours where we ended up being our own little family; a mom, dad, sister, and brother etc., celebrated my birthday on a tour, and left tours in tears because I had the best time and didn't want to say goodbye — truly making friends for a lifetime.

Why was this the right time in your life to take an 18-to-Thirtysomethings trip?

I needed a reminder that life does not have to follow one specific timeline. I was at the point in my life where I was questioning what I wanted my life to look like and having no idea what to do, but travelling with amazing people with different life stories gave me the chance to step away from all of that and experience something completely different. It was the right time because I wanted to challenge myself, meet new people, and prove to myself that I could do things that I once thought were too scary. Meeting people with different life stories was a big part of me realizing that life doesn't have to follow a timeline, and rather, everyone is on their own path and there is no right or wrong way to experience life.

Another reason is because I am never going to be this young again! Money comes back, time never will, and experiences are for a lifetime. I’m not always going to be able to pack up and leave for months at a time, especially when I have big bills, my own family, etc. Sure, it is possible, but having this kind of freedom is unique, and I cannot take it for granted.

Did this experience change how confident you feel about travelling now?

Absolutely, the G Adventures trips I went on gave me the confidence to solo travel much of Europe, something I never thought I would do by myself. When I first started travelling, there were so many things that felt intimidating just because I hadn't experienced them before. Every trip has pushed me farther and farther outside my comfort zone, and every time I return home safely, I realise I am much more capable than I once thought. Now I feel much more confident figuring things out as I go, meeting new people, and putting myself in unfamiliar situations. Every single trip has made me more curious about where I am going next.

What’s one misconception about 18-to-Thirtysomethings trips that this experience proved wrong?

I think one misconception is that group travel means you're constantly stuck with the same people and have no independence. While there is a set itinerary of travel days, there is also plenty of freedom to do your own thing, but also have the option to do things with fellow travellers when you want company. The 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours have many free-time days that you can use however you like; rest, see whatever you want, or do your own thing. 

Would you book another 18-to-Thirtysomethings tour — and where would you like to go next?

There are so many amazing tours that I am looking forward to doing someday, but I have my eyes set on and am planning on doing one of the 40-day overland Africa tours next year with a fellow traveller from New Zealand who I toured with in Central Asia! We are going to experience so many new things from incredible wildlife, safaris, cultures, landscapes, and communities across Africa. It’s pretty special to know that I met a stranger on an 18-to-Thirtysomethings tour, and now we’re planning our next adventure together in a different area of the world. It’s safe to say that I will be booking 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours until I max out at 40 years old!

Read more:

18-to-Thirtysomethings travel diaries: Ritesh’s 200+ days around the world

18-to-Thirtysomethings travel diaries: Reginald’s Galápagos adventure

18-to-Thirtysomethings travel diaries: Michelle Myer's adventures across Africa, Japan and beyond